2025 Year in Review
A look back to look forward
What a whirlwind.
If there is anything that is true about 2025, it is that it has been a full year.
For me, a number of works that have been a long time in the making came to fruition. Some older projects have found new life. Even within the final weeks there are things that are happening that continue to fuel the peculiar direction of my work.
First, a word of thanks. To everyone who has been a part of my 2025 I want to thank you. To the collaborators, vendors, venues, supporters, and partners who were part of making my work come to life, thank you. To the folks who have purchased books, come to events, watched the videos, read the writing, and listened to the podcasts, thank you. To the coaching clients who have entrusted me to accompany their journeys, thank you. And lastly, to the folks who brought me into their work this past year, whether as an adjudicator, performer, or teacher, thank you.
As always, there may be too many things to remember to an exhaustive list here, so a few highlights will have to do.
I produced and performed a 12-hour overnight solo improvised tap dance as part of the immersive theater event entitled, Dark Night Live (more below).
Identity: The Andrew Nemr Story was used as part of an identity formation unit at a New York City Public School – as a special treat I zoomed in to have a conversation with the students at the end of their unit!
The publication of The Tap Dance Method book became a reality this year.
I was a guest faculty member of Sarah Reich’s Tap Music Project.
I presented a workshop at the National Dance Education Organization National Conference (my third in a row!).
I continued training tap dancers and tap dance educators both in-person and remotely. This year some of my students were in cities as far reaching as Boise (Idaho), Warsaw (Poland), and Laos (Cambodia)!
I received my first coaching credential – TQ Navigating Transitions – allowing me to provide even more tools to clients as they journey.
I’ve had the great pleasure of coaching wonderful clients in finding rest, getting unstuck, and navigating major transitions.
The Spiritual Formation for Artist Course that I developed in collaboration with Forefront Festival was featured in John Ortberg’s new Formation Newsletter!
- After a few hiccups, I’ve regained a semi-regular writing practice here at The Notes!
- The Nemr Institute produced its first major project – Dark Night – a multi-disciplinary exploration of the dark night of the soul, honoring the enduring spirit within us all. This project marks the sharing of a core idea for the Institute – that creative projects can be endeavored to bring spiritual and unseen realities to life in ways that invite and inspire shifts in everyone involved.
My most formative experience was my personal journey through Dark Night (which I talk about here). Possibly the most profound experience I’ve had as a performer and producer. I’ve never felt touched by God in the same way before…and it continues.
I have experienced joy and wonder in new friendships, extended patience, radical generosity, and softening hearts.
While I dabbled in a few books, I got through A Peace to End All Peace and The Damascus Events. I would highly recommend these if you have any interest in how the modern-day Middle East came to be.
In these final weeks I have begun to read The Gift by Lewis Hyde. The book has been sitting on my shelf for at least 10 years. Recommended by my friend, Makoto Fujimura, I’m only a few pages in and have already found it beneficial. If you are a creative or just have an interest in the history and spiritual effect of gift-giving, read this book.
LOOKING FORWARD
Well, that’s it folks. That’s the year. I’ll be stepping away from the socials for a bit before returning in January. In the meantime, if you’d like to contribute to the ongoing expansion of this work in a unique way, here are two invitations:
100x50 – Support the ongoing work of Nemr Institute, with a monthly gift. Even $10/month is significant in supporting the development, production, and delivery of projects like Dark Night.
Subscribe to The Notes – If the writing I do here has been a benefit, consider becoming a paying supporter.
Or forward this note to a friend. Think of it as a gift :-)
Until 2026, may you and yours be found immersed in a community of love,
Andrew-